Powerboat industry wrong direction?
09-01-2006, 01:33 PM
#41
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
FeverMike has it right. I don't think he missed anything.
Listen, choice is a good thing. I don't like Budweiser. I can't stand the taste of it. But a whole lot of people love it and I would not be arrogant enough to suggest they are "moving in the wrong direction" by ordering it.
In matters of style and taste, majority opinion doesn't matter. Sure, a lot of builders are offering mid cabins for buyers who want them, but they're not coming at the expense of new closed-deck boats. Mid cabins are just another option. Another choice.
The industry isn't going astray by offering them. They're just trying to sell a few more boats.
Listen, choice is a good thing. I don't like Budweiser. I can't stand the taste of it. But a whole lot of people love it and I would not be arrogant enough to suggest they are "moving in the wrong direction" by ordering it.
In matters of style and taste, majority opinion doesn't matter. Sure, a lot of builders are offering mid cabins for buyers who want them, but they're not coming at the expense of new closed-deck boats. Mid cabins are just another option. Another choice.
The industry isn't going astray by offering them. They're just trying to sell a few more boats.
09-01-2006, 01:34 PM
#42
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
Originally Posted by FeverMike
Pros:
*Quality of boats are way up.
*Quality of engine packages with I/O and outboards is way way up
*People can afford bigger boats than ever before
*Poker Runs are very popular and give people a great way to use performance boats.
* Outerlimits including the Tres Martin school with the purchase of boats
Cons:
*Driving skills of owners of performance boats
*Insurance
*Marine industry as a whole need to improve on people skills in the service area.
*Too many ripp off service centers and misinformed Mercury approved mechanics.
*Racing needs to be fixed.
*Poker Runs can not alone carry the interest of performance boaters
* manufactures need to step up and qualify people buying certain boats.
*Quality of boats are way up.
*Quality of engine packages with I/O and outboards is way way up
*People can afford bigger boats than ever before
*Poker Runs are very popular and give people a great way to use performance boats.
* Outerlimits including the Tres Martin school with the purchase of boats
Cons:
*Driving skills of owners of performance boats
*Insurance
*Marine industry as a whole need to improve on people skills in the service area.
*Too many ripp off service centers and misinformed Mercury approved mechanics.
*Racing needs to be fixed.
*Poker Runs can not alone carry the interest of performance boaters
* manufactures need to step up and qualify people buying certain boats.
09-01-2006, 01:54 PM
#43
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
well put fm, but i must disagree with an earlier statement that manufacturers are not selling speed anymore because that is in darn near every ad out there and i do not want to stir up trouble but that is what one of the leaders in the industry sells on exclusively. by the way, this was not your statement earlier fevermike, it was someone elses.
09-01-2006, 02:05 PM
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
hammer01,
You might disagree with my statement of builders not selling speed, but the facts don't support your position. In the latest issue of Powerboat I'm looking at, there are 16 boat builder adds. Only one, Fountain, mentions speed in its text. Baja uses the words "life in the fast lane" in its ad, but that expression has taken on a lot of different meanings.
Your perception might be that "darn near every ad out there" is selling speed, but the facts say otherwise. Builders are downplaying speed. Their survival depends on it.
You might disagree with my statement of builders not selling speed, but the facts don't support your position. In the latest issue of Powerboat I'm looking at, there are 16 boat builder adds. Only one, Fountain, mentions speed in its text. Baja uses the words "life in the fast lane" in its ad, but that expression has taken on a lot of different meanings.
Your perception might be that "darn near every ad out there" is selling speed, but the facts say otherwise. Builders are downplaying speed. Their survival depends on it.
09-01-2006, 02:21 PM
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
I would hope that the builders are down playing speed. Its hard enough to get INS as it is and they have to see that it is going to efect there bottom line, I don't even like to post any #s like that on here. we all know which builders are doing it . 
09-01-2006, 03:19 PM
#46
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
100, you make a lot of great points. But I must defend my tire analogy. Correct on where the damage occurs, difference is, if it's an inherent defect the tire still gets replaced. The manufacturer doesn't say "FO, wasn't attached to our wheel....."!!
Also, I guess I was picking on Mercury. I guess the problem stems from not enough competition. The other side of me says some things should be done for the betterment of the sport. Mercury Racing is small part in a big industry, but I'll bet if the Hi-po market dried up they would be more than mildly upset as well.
Sometimes corps. just need to do what is right to assure they have a future.
Greg
PS- I enjoy a good debate...
Also, I guess I was picking on Mercury. I guess the problem stems from not enough competition. The other side of me says some things should be done for the betterment of the sport. Mercury Racing is small part in a big industry, but I'll bet if the Hi-po market dried up they would be more than mildly upset as well.
Sometimes corps. just need to do what is right to assure they have a future.
Greg
PS- I enjoy a good debate...
09-01-2006, 03:32 PM
#47
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
Cash,
And I can see your point as well. Lets say you buy a legitimate 500-hp engine from a good local builder. You don't have a lot of options, so you buy a Bravo XR and he installs it perfectly. A few weeks later, as you shift from neutral to forward the drive goes away.
It happens. We all know it happens. The drive was defective. You didn't abuse it in the slightest.
And now you're completely screwed, at least as far it being covered under warranty is concerned. Fair it's not. Great customer service, especially if you're a repeat Mercury customer as so many are, it's not. They see it as protecting their brand, but you're still screwed.
Your point about corporations assuring they have a future is spot on. People are just itching for alternatives, and now they're coming.
And I can see your point as well. Lets say you buy a legitimate 500-hp engine from a good local builder. You don't have a lot of options, so you buy a Bravo XR and he installs it perfectly. A few weeks later, as you shift from neutral to forward the drive goes away.
It happens. We all know it happens. The drive was defective. You didn't abuse it in the slightest.
And now you're completely screwed, at least as far it being covered under warranty is concerned. Fair it's not. Great customer service, especially if you're a repeat Mercury customer as so many are, it's not. They see it as protecting their brand, but you're still screwed.
Your point about corporations assuring they have a future is spot on. People are just itching for alternatives, and now they're coming.
09-01-2006, 03:35 PM
#48
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
Good to know I'm not a complete jag-off.... 
Off to happy hour, I'll try to post after for some laughs......
Off to happy hour, I'll try to post after for some laughs......
09-01-2006, 03:54 PM
#49
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
Originally Posted by CASH BAR
Good to know I'm not a complete jag-off....
Off to happy hour, I'll try to post after for some laughs......
Off to happy hour, I'll try to post after for some laughs......
No. Not a COMPLETE jagoff
. Just a partial jagoff.
09-01-2006, 04:24 PM
#50
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Re: Powerboat industry wrong direction?
Would It Be At All Conceivable For A Mid Cabin Manufacture (lets Say Sunsation) To Supply A Hard Top To Cover The Bow When Not In Use. Maybe As An Option That The Buyer Can Purchase.
